Delhi: 21-Year-Old Murdered For Objecting To Man Allegedly Smoking In His Face

A 21-year-old man was killed and his friend grievously injured in Delhi after they objected to a drunk man puffing smoke in their faces. Angered for being objected to, the accused rammed his car into their motorcycle.

Background

The victim, Gurpreet Singh, and his 22-year-old friend, Maninder Singh, residents of Shahbad Dairy, had come from Bhatinda to Delhi in 2016 for a year-long course at the Delhi School of Photography.

The duo was busy with a college project near AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital when an inebriated man, Rohit Krishna Mahanto began quarrelling with them.

According to the police, Mahanto, a resident of Defence Colony, is a lawyer under the Standing Counsel of Assam government and his father Anil Kumar is a doctor.

The duo had been working on their reece ‘Life of people on footpath in Delhi’ after which they stopped to eat something. The accused stood beside them and began puffing smoke from his cigarette in their faces. “We objected as we are Sikhs and smoking is against our religious beliefs,” said Maninder, reported The Hindu.

They got into an argument and the man said that if they were in Assam, he would kill them and no one would know.

Gurpreet’s family said that the duo decided to leave when the accused started giving death threats.

As both the men got on their bike and left, the accused allegedly followed them and rammed into them from behind. The speed of the car was such that it also hit an autorickshaw and a cab in front of the victims’ bike.

Arrest

All those injured in the accident were taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre. The accused, Mohanto, was also taken to the hospital where his medical examination revealed that he had consumed alcohol beyond the permissible limit.

Gurmeet battled for his life for two days but succumbed to his wounds on Wednesday, September 20. His friend is out of danger.

The Delhi police first registered multiple cases against the driver under Section 279 (rash driving) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the IPC and Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act (driving by a drunken person or by a person under the influence of drugs).

After the death of their son, Gurmeet’s family demanded a probe; the police also recorded Maninder’s statement.

As the accused had threatened the kill the duo and then rammed his car into their motorcycle, ‘intent’ was added to the charges against him and he was booked under two more Sections of the IPC – 302 (punishment for murder) and 307 (attempt to murder).

The Logical Indiancommunity expresses grief at the death of Gurmeet, who only opposed to public smoking. We hope that the accused gets the justice he deserves.

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There Is Nothing That Women Cannot Do, This Women’s Day Spread The Message Of Equality

Little did the thousands of women who stepped out on the streets of the then Russian Empire know, that their protest would become the theme for women’s rights across the world, for eternity.

It was March 8, 1917, when women textile workers in Petrograd (capital of the Russian Empire) marched for their right to vote. Since then, the day is commemorated to celebrate women worldwide.

Russia’s February Revolution Was Led by Women on the March.Independent

A century later, have we progressed?

Yes, we’ve come a long way since the first women’s rights movements, but a long road still lies ahead.

Even in 2018, women do not enjoy equal status to men in all spheres. We still hear phrases like ‘don’t run like a girl’, ‘don’t throw like a girl’ or ‘don’t dress like a girl’. The ones making the statements remain ignorant to the fact that running like a girl is the same as ‘running like a boy’ – with all your might; throwing like a girl is the same as ‘throwing like a boy’ – with all your power; and dressing like a girl is the same as ‘dressing like a boy’ – in whatever makes you comfortable.

Women have time and again proved that they can do ANYTHING, and this video by ParleG aims to showcase just this. It is time we realised that women are capable of achieving great heights because #ZiddiChhoriya never give up.

Despite the hushed talks, the demotivation and the doubts, women have worked hard to become athletes, scientists, singers, poets, writers, chefs, army persons, and what not. In fields where they were not recognised before, women are making strides. Their determination and will power are making those who questioned them, question themselves.

What is it that women cannot do? From trekking Mount Everest to making beautiful paintings? As the video correctly portrays, #ZiddiChhoriya are representing India at international stages, playing drums, leading teams, and motivating others to do the same.

It is because of these women who show immense perseverance that other women are inspired to chase their dreams.

This Women’s Day, let us salute the power of women. Let us spread awareness about equality, and lead by example.